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The GDP Delusion: Why the World’s Favorite Metric Fails the Future

For decades, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reigned supreme as the ultimate measure of national success. It is the number quoted in every headline, the metric central to political debate, and the foundation of virtually all macroeconomic policy. People tell us that a country is doing well if the GDP number increases. However, what if the GDP number itself is a mere illusion, a remnant of the industrial era that completely fails to represent genuine human advancement, societal prosperity, or ecological stability? As we rapidly move into an era defined by artificial intelligence, complex non-market interactions, and existential environmental threats, relying on this single figure is not just misleading; it’s dangerous.  "The welfare of a nation can scarcely be inferred from a measure of national income." — Simon Kuznets (Creator of GDP, 1934) Here are 12 fundamental flaws of GDP that prove it is a measure of mere turnover , not genuine value, wealth, or sustainable well-bei...

Ethical Leadership: Why the "How" Matters More Than the "What"

Okay, let's dive into a quote that's got me seriously thinking: "The question is not whether I will do it, but how it can be done most correctly and benefit everyone without harming others." This phrase isn't just some feel-good mantra; it's a statement packed with intention and responsibility, likely pulled from a character with a strong sense of purpose in the fictional world of "The Wealth of the Great Kingdom." This quote initially exudes determination. The initial dismissal of "whether I will do it" suggests a commitment that's already solidified. There's no room for doubt, no wavering. This character isn't questioning their motivation or capability; they've already decided to act. Their actions reveal their confidence and potentially indicate their position of power or influence within the kingdom. They're not asking for permission or approval; they're assuming responsibility. But the real meat of the quote lie...

The Art of the Quiet Response: How to Master the Pause and Win the Argument

  Let’s talk about that moment. You know the one: someone sends you a ridiculous email, your boss says something wildly unfair, or a family member presses your absolute last button. Your blood boils, your fingers fly to the keyboard, and you feel that rush—the desperate need to fire back immediately with a perfect, devastating counterargument. We’ve all been there. We are trained by modern life—by social media, by nonstop notifications—to react instantly. But here's the secret: the moment you choose to react is the moment you hand over your power.  True strength isn't about the fastest comeback. It’s about the quiet response. It’s about learning to master the pause. The Stoic Pause: Stealing Back Your Control Think about this idea, which the ancient Stoics hammered home: "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will gain strength." (Marcus Aurelius) When a situation is stressful, what are you trying to control? Are you trying to contr...

Why Your Feed Is Dominated by Negative Content: Aesop's Algorithm

Have you ever pondered why your social media feed appears to be inundated with outrage, scandals, and "fake news," while meaningful stories and profound insights appear to arrive in small, infrequent drops?  Surprisingly, an ancient Greek storyteller named Aesop predicted this digital dilemma over 2,500 years ago in his fable "The Goods and the Evils." The Ancient Fable In the story, the "Evils" were so aggressive that they drove the "Goods" off the earth and up to the heavens. When the Goods asked Zeus how they should return to humanity, he told them they must not go all at once but  one by one . As a result, the Evils—being close at hand—constantly swarm over us. But the Goods reach us slowly, descending from the sky only occasionally. The Modern Digital Parallel If we look at platforms like X (Twitter) and Facebook , we can see that their algorithms act exactly like the world Aesop described. 1. The Speed of "Evil" (Clickbait and O...

"The Great Human Irony: You Talk About What You Miss".

Ever notice something weird about human conversations? It is as though we all carry a vast, invisible void within our lives, and the sole thing that ever escapes from our mouths is a depiction of that void. Think about it. We often talk about what we miss , what we don’t have , or what we crave . It’s the ultimate human deflection, a bizarre reverse psychology where we try to summon what we need by constantly giving voice to its absence. It’s simple, right? The basic human condition is to seek equilibrium. When we’re out of balance, that absence becomes the loudest thing in the room—in our head and eventually, in our conversations. Can you relate to someone who has been desperately searching for a job for six months? Every conversation somehow steers back to the job market, the useless interviews, or the "passion economy." They’re not just talking about work; they are mourning the lack of purpose, structure, and income . Can you identify the individual who skipped lunch? He’s...

Understanding the past is the best way to navigate the future.

Bill Gates himself, who called it "the best business book I've ever read."   First off, what is "Business Adventures"? It’s not a how-to guide with bullet points and actionable checklists. Instead, Brooks, a brilliant journalist and storyteller, addresses some of the most dramatic and fascinating moments in American business history during the mid-20th century. We talk about the ascent and decline of Texas Gulf Sulphur, the turbulent journey of Fairchild Camera, the internal conflicts at General Electric, and even the enduring tale of McDonald's. Brooks doesn't just report; he dissects, analyzes, and humanizes these complex events, revealing the personalities, the pressures, and the often-unforeseen consequences that shaped them.  So, why should you and I, sitting here in the age of AI and venture capital, care about stories from the 1960s and 70s? It turns out that human nature and the fundamental dynamics of business haven't changed significantly. ...

HUGE NEWS! 🎉 My e-books are FREE on Smashwords this December

My e-books are FREE on Smashwords this December. 🥳 Dive in or gift it to a friend. Don't miss out on this limited-time offer! 📚 👇 https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Sezgin_Ismailov /   👇 You can find it in stores as a hardcover, softcover, or e-book. The titles include Manners in the Great Kingdom, The Wealth of the Great Kingdom, The Heir of the Dynasty,  369 Hours of Punishment, and Unforgettable Personalities of History. Amazon, eBay, Adlibris, Powells, Rakuten, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Kinokuniya, Thalia, JPC, Abebooks.com, Takealot.com, Booklooker, Alibris, Morawa, Booktopia, Thriftbooks, WOM, Google Play, Flipkart, Hugendubel, Bücher, Michaelsbund, Dumocks, Kitapavrupa, Pandora, BOL, Orellfüssli, Lehmanns, Walmart, Eurobuch, Tredition, Biblio, Faltershop, Helikon, Legimi, Bokus, D§R, Imge, Cinius, Indigo, Imusic, Athenaeum, Kaufland, Mondadoristore, Paagman, Weltbild, Betterworldbooks, Blackwells, Ebook, Exlibris, Lesen, Libroworld, Lesejury, Kitapsepeti, ...